Could you help children stay safe around dogs?

In 2008, 400 children under the age of five were admitted to hospital after being bitten by a dog. As we’ve mentioned before, the Blue Dog Guide is a software package which teaches parents and children about how to stay safe around dogs.

Researchers at the University of Lincoln have recently carried out an evaluation of part of the resource in Lincolnshire schools, which showed that it can be an effective tool in helping to prevent dog bites.

The team from the School of Psychology has now expanded the evaluation and is looking for 200 families in the East Midland or East of England with children between the ages of 3 and 5 to take part.

Participating families will be sent a copy of the Blue Dog Guide. They will be asked to use the CD Rom, fill in the questionnaire, then at various points throughout the two-year study, film their child or children interacting with their dog. Please spread the word if you live in these regions, you will be helping to contribute to an important piece of research about protecting young children from dog bites.

For more information on the study, and to register to take part, see:www.lincoln.ac.uk/psychology/blue_dog.htm

For more information on the Blue Dog Guide:  www.thebluedog.org/

If you don’t qualify but would like a copy of the guide, you can buy it for £5.20 from the British Small Animal Veterinary Association: www.bsava.com/membersarea/shop/details.asp?id=2&Blue=True